Second Use Building
Materials, Inc.

Overview

Second Use Building Materials, Inc., a salvager and seller of used building
materials, has one mission: to divert reusable building materials from the waste
stream. They typically have one to five crews (sometimes more) in the field
salvaging or picking up used building materials. Three by-products of Second
Use's mission are to preserve natural resources, preserve architectural
heritage, and offer affordable materials to the community.

History

Second Use was founded by Royal Hunter, a lifelong environmentalist,
political activist, and carpenter; the company was incorporated in September of
1994. Hunter's mission encompassed Second Use's mission to divert reusable
building materials from the waste stream. Lawson Schaller joined Hunter in
November of 1994; his interest is in waste diversion and he has a background in
business. Michael Armstrong was the next addition to the ownership team in 1996.
Armstrong has a background in retail, tea master/production, and art. Even
though Hunter passed away in 1999; his courage and vision are greatly
appreciated by Second Use, and the company continues to carry out his legacy.

Operations

Second Use provides complete removal service, salvage, and sales, utilizing
several trucks, forklifts, and over 40,000 square feet of retail space. Second
Use also uses an in-house database system to track inventory, suppliers, and
customers, as well as a multitude of other information.

Materials Accepted/Inventory

Source of Materials

Collection Services

Geographic
Service Area

Second Use accepts a wide variety of usable materials. Residential,
commercial, generic, contemporary, and vintage materials are accepted on a case
by case basis. They have over 1,000 windows and doors in stock, as well as
hundreds of plumbing fixtures, cabinet hardware, and more.

Homeowners, do-it-yourselfers, small and large contractors, businesses
(manufacturers, distributors, retail, etc.), government entities, etc. provide
Second Use with materials.

Second Use has pick up and removal services available.

Washington and Oregon.

Technical Assistance

Second Use now offers fee based technical assistance to start ups and
operations looking to expand.